Trinity United Church of Christ Greensburg fills 'Blessing Box' with food for those in need

A new box in front of Trinity United Church of Christ in Greensburg is filled with food and sanitary items, freely available to those who need them.

“We feel we have been abundantly blessed by God, and we wanted to share those blessings,” said the Rev. Shirley Musick, pastor of the church along Main Street.

Parishioners will keep the “blessing box” stocked. As the weather turns colder, they will add socks, gloves and hats to the current selection.

Musick said she was looking for a way to give back to the community and was inspired by similar boxes installed by churches in other parts of the country.

“I thought this would be a nice way for our church to get involved in an outreach program.”

She presented the idea to her congregation, which responded enthusiastically.

“I had never heard of a blessing box,” said parishioner Tricia Lowden. “I said to myself, ‘This sounds like a great idea.’ It just spoke to me.”

Lowden volunteered to oversee the box.

The church dedicated the blessing box Sunday.

Its Lowden’s job to monitor its inventory and make sure it remains stocked with items people need.

She’s working with other members of the congregation to ensure a steady supply of donations.

“The donations we have received right now are wonderful, they have been great, but I needed to let them know that it’s going to be an ongoing service,” she said.

Lowden said, although she lives in Greensburg, it was only recently she learned the extent of poverty in the community.

“I was shocked to learn of the poverty level in this area,” she said.

Musick said the blessing box is a way to help make sure people are fed, warm and safe.

“We definitely have a need in the community for those who are hungry,” she said. “Our doors are open to everyone, we exclude no one.”